Johnny Dangerous wrote:Let me ask this, if they are not "physically addictive", what exactly do you think that means? Let's say they are as physically addictive as gambling for instance, why on earth should I see them as different? Gambling also contains no addictive chemicals, and yet, it regularly destroys people's lives. Since I have seen similar sorts of awful stuff from pyschedelic use, why should I care that they might have some mild health benefit in some circumstance?
Many people don't like to operate at the lowest common denominator. Just because a lot of people (most) abuse chemicals does not mean they have no benefits or can be used properly to achieve benefit. Not talking about safe use is probably in effect supporting the normal pattern of dangerous abuse.
Anything can become habitual and develop a 'psychological' dependency. Obviously all behaviour is based on the physical workings of the brain, but how I view it is that gambling is not physically addictive, such that something like 'mood' does not count as physically addictive either, even though its (emotions/moods) action is based on physical effects.
For your hypothetical psychedelic to be physiologically addictive, I think it would have to cause damage upon removal specifically. Usually with psychedelics the damage occurs with inappropriate dosing or interaction, ie use, but not withdrawal.... as what makes the measure for physical addiction is that physiological damage/disease if the substance is withdrawn. It's why they used to differentiate between psychological (mental) addiction and physiological (physical) addiction.
AFAIK this is the correct interpretation of the terms, but yes psychological addiction is certainly enough to destroy peoples lives, but so is things like depression etc. All have a physical basis for the action, but that alone does not equate to 'physical addiction'... AFAIK.
I cannot speak to the psychedelic 'community', but psychedelic's have unparalleled capacity to show clear and deep altered perceptions. The problem is our cultures tend to be so fixated on a very narrow way to perceive reality that the depth and severity of some psychedelics can unhinge that connection to reality if the dose is too high (at once or over time) or dangerous interactions occur causing actual physical damage. Or quite simply provide enough confusion to be less then useful. The only thing supportive I've seen in the community is sober/straight carers, and anyone who explains usage to new users. The art and ideas are kewl though!!
